korrents

What Austin Vernon thinks about energy

@austin-vernon · 42 positions · 0 changes of mind

Engineer and investor who writes quantitative posts about how physical industries actually work — chemical plants, geothermal drilling, shipyards, thermal storage and the economics of low-volume manufacturing — at austinvernon.site.

Austin Vernon did not write this page.

We collected these quotes from things they published elsewhere, and every quote links to where it was said. They have no account here and have not endorsed this site. Quotes are word for word; the short line under each one is our own restatement, not their wording. Their own site. Is this you? Claim it or ask us to remove it. Or tell us what is wrong here.

4 dated positions, 2022 to 2024, in their own words. Our reading of what Austin Vernon has said — not written or endorsed by them.

4 positions so far — this page is not yet offered to search engines.

  1. Our readingLetting generators cover one per cent of the year is what makes an off-grid solar data centre affordable, because the last few gloomy days set the whole array size.

    Their wordsThe optimal scenario is typically when the generators supply 1% of yearly electricity (shown below).

    ↗How to Make Off Grid Data Centers Affordableaustinvernon.site 2nd of 9 in this piece

    solardata centers

    Interesting

  3. Our readingCooling adds nothing to what a data centre produces, which is why it is the first thing a good design deletes rather than optimises.

    Their wordsThe cooling systems in most data centers are energy hogs and contribute no direct value.

    ↗How to Make Off Grid Data Centers Affordableaustinvernon.site 3rd of 9 in this piece

    data centersdesign

    Interesting
  4. 11 months earlier

  5. by

    Our readingCargo ships can be electrified with a cheap, heavy, low-performance battery, because carrying heavy things cheaply is the one thing ships are good at.

    Their wordsShips are great at carrying bulky and heavy stuff with minimal cost and energy usage. We need a battery chemistry that leans into that and sacrifices performance to reduce cost.

    ↗Why Battery Powered Cargo Ships are Compellingaustinvernon.site

    batteries

    Interesting
  6. 8 months earlier

  7. by

    Our readingCutting drag is worth far more in an electric vehicle than in a combustion one, because carrying the energy is so much more expensive.

    Their wordsDrag and tire friction dominate energy expenditure. Engineering effort to improve drag is worth so much more with electric vehicles.

    ↗Electric Trucks are Ready for the Roadaustinvernon.site

    electric vehicles

    Interesting